Operation of a multi-device automotive air conditioning system

Abstract

Method for operating a control device for a motor vehicle (10) having several air conditioning units (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40), in which a control device (18") receives from a user an air conditioning target for one of several air conditioning zones (52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64), characterized by the fact that A control unit (42) selects at least one air conditioning unit (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) from the air conditioning units (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) depending on the air conditioning target, wherein each selected air conditioning unit (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) is designed to air condition the air conditioning zone (52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64) to which the air conditioning target was received, and the control unit (42) sets an operating parameter value for each selected air conditioning unit (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) to regulate the air conditioning target, wherein the control unit (42) to select at least one air conditioning unit (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) first from the air conditioning units (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) each air conditioning unit (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) that is designed to air condition the air conditioning zone (52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64) to which the air conditioning target was received,determined and from each determined air conditioning unit (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) selects at least one air conditioning unit (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) according to an availability criterion, , where the availability criterion for at least one air conditioning unit (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) specifies that the air conditioning unit (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) is only available when the Eco mode is inactive and / or when the drive motor is warm.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a control device for a motor vehicle that has several climate control units, i.e., several devices for influencing the climate in a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. A display device shows a user a representation of different climate control zones that can be controlled by the climate control units. A control device then receives a climate control target from the user for one of the climate control zones, indicating how the user wants the climate zone to be controlled.

[0002] An operating device of the type mentioned is known, for example, from DE 10 2008 017 051 A1. In this known operating device, a driver's seat is displayed on the display unit, and airflow arrows illustrate the current orientation of the air outlet nozzles to the driver. In addition, the current air temperature is displayed for the area of ​​the driver's seat. The driver can select different climate control profiles designed for driving on a winter morning, a summer midday, and a spring day.

[0003] From DE 10 2010 011 039 A1, a configuration device is known for a motor vehicle air conditioning system, with which the user can define the operating parameter values ​​to be set when activating the respective air conditioning profile for different air conditioning profiles.

[0004] German patent application DE 197 53 864 A1 discloses a method for assessing a thermal image of a driver in a motor vehicle and for controlling an air conditioning system. The thermal image is used to determine whether the air conditioning system is still in a transient phase or already in a steady-state phase. The air conditioning output of the air conditioning units is adjusted accordingly.

[0005] From DE 10 2009 056 675 A1, a control unit is known for an air conditioning device in which an operator can set a heating output of a respective seat heater for both the seat surface of a vehicle seat and the backrest of the vehicle seat.

[0006] From DE 10 2007 039 442 A1 a method for displaying information is known in which several objects are arranged on a display device in a motor vehicle to form a virtual, perspectively displayed ring and the user can then rotate this ring carousel-like by swiping movements.

[0007] German patent DE 10 2011 015 693 A1 discloses a user interface for voice control in two different language modes. Using the control device, the user can, for example, speak the title of a desired song, which is then retrieved from a database and played.

[0008] Furthermore, DE 10 2010 010 441 A1 and DE 602 05 437 T2 disclose touchscreen-operated air conditioning systems for vehicles, while DE 32 08 275 A1 discloses a voice-controlled air conditioning system. The differentiation of climate control targets according to climate zones or body regions of the user is described in DE 103 44 701 A1 and DE 10 2007 023 502 A1. A display and control device for a ventilation system of a vehicle air conditioning system is shown in DE 100 58 360 A1. An air conditioning system with energy-saving mode and simultaneous windshield heating is shown in JP 2013-166 468 A, and DE 10 2007 041 903 A1 describes how an air conditioning system for a motor vehicle can reach a target temperature within a specified time period.

[0009] Current climate control systems are often too complicated for users when it comes to adjusting a vehicle's climate control system, which includes multiple climate control units such as a fan, seat heating, footwell heating, and steering wheel heating. Often, interrelationships are also unclear, such as the insufficiently heated airflow from a warm air blower, which may not be supplied with enough warm air during the warm-up phase of a combustion engine. Most customers are unaware of the dependencies between climate control functions and external influences, such as a cold engine, which can suppress certain user requirements. Another well-known example is the AC button (AC - Air Conditioning), which doesn't necessarily cool the air but primarily dehumidifies it.

[0010] This can lead to situations where the user makes demands on the operating device, but these demands are not necessarily implemented as changes to the vehicle's air conditioning system.

[0011] The invention is based on the objective of providing a user with an effective way to operate an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle comprising several air conditioning units.

[0012] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous further developments of the invention result from the features of the dependent patent claims.

[0013] The invention makes vehicle operation more intuitive for the user. Instead of numerous buttons and rotary controls, it becomes possible to implement goal-based interaction with an HMI (Human Machine Interface). The user simply expresses their desired climate control settings, such as temperature and body zone, via a graphical user interface (GUI) or a voice dialog system. This desired climate control setting forms a target for the climate control system. The climate control is then automatically regulated without the user having to decide which climate control unit should be used to achieve the target.

[0014] According to the invention, a method for operating a control device for a motor vehicle having several air conditioning units is provided. A user-defined air conditioning target for one of the air conditioning zones is received via a control device, for example a touchscreen or a voice recognition device.

[0015] In the method according to the invention, the climate control target is defined such that the control unit receives the climate control target independently of the climate control units available in the vehicle. For example, the climate control target can specify that the footwell should be warmer. In other words, the climate control target itself does not specify an operating parameter value for any particular climate control unit.

[0016] The user therefore does not need to know how to adjust the individual air conditioning units for their desired climate control settings to be achieved. The climate control goal can relate to, for example, a specific temperature, air distribution, airflow, indoor temperature, airflow intensity, humidity, and / or airflow direction.

[0017] Instead, a control unit, such as a control module or a program module of a vehicle's processor, selects at least one climate control unit from among the available units, depending on the climate control goal. The selected unit, or units, are each characterized by their ability to actually climate control the specific climate zone for which the climate control goal was received. In the example where the user wants the footwell warmer, the control unit would select, for instance, a footwell blower to blow warm air into the footwell and / or an infrared heater to warm the feet in the footwell.Preferably, air conditioning units are selected that are designed for direct air conditioning of the respective air conditioning zone, i.e., that preferably deliver more than 50 percent, and in particular more than 70 percent, of their air conditioning capacity to the air conditioning zone.

[0018] For each selected air conditioning unit, the control unit then sets an operating parameter value to regulate the climate control target specified by the user; for example, an air conditioning output such as heating output, cooling output, or fan output. Of course, it is also possible to set more than one operating parameter value for an air conditioning unit.

[0019] The method according to the invention offers the advantage that the user only needs to specify their desired air conditioning level without needing to know anything about the individual air conditioning units. All air conditioning units required to achieve the desired air conditioning level are then identified by the control unit and parameterized to implement that level. In other words, the control unit maps the desired air conditioning level to the air conditioning units by determining suitable operating parameter values ​​for one or more air conditioning units.

[0020] For this purpose, a climate model can be used, for example, which describes the relationship between the air conditioning units operating with specific parameters and the resulting heat distribution in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The climate model can then be operated in reverse, for example, by inputting the climate control target into the model and then determining which operating parameter values ​​must be set for the air conditioning units to achieve this target. In addition to or as an alternative to a climate model, it can also be provided that an air conditioning unit is selected, receives a setpoint as the operating parameter value, and then automatically adjusts the climate control zone to this setpoint.

[0021] As previously explained, not all air conditioning units are available at all times to cool a specific climate zone, for example, because the combustion engine is still cold. To relieve the user of this task, the invention provides that the control unit, for selecting the at least one air conditioning unit to implement the climate control objective, first selects from the climate control zones all those units that are capable of cooling the climate zone for which the climate control objective was received. From each identified air conditioning unit, the at least one unit to be used is selected according to an availability criterion. This availability criterion verifies which of the identified air conditioning units are actually capable of achieving the climate control objective.This automatically takes into account boundary conditions that the driver nowadays only learns by trial and error, for example when he switches on a ventilation system and only cold air is pumped into the passenger compartment, even though he has set the heating control to a warmer temperature.

[0022] According to the invention, the availability criterion for at least one air conditioning unit specifies that the air conditioning unit is only available when the drive engine is warm. For example, this can be achieved by checking whether a predetermined warm-up time has elapsed after a cold start of the combustion engine and / or whether the engine temperature of the combustion engine is above a predetermined threshold. Another availability criterion specifies for at least one air conditioning unit that the air conditioning unit is only available when the Eco mode, which is intended to enforce more economical operation of the vehicle, is inactive. By activating the Eco mode, those air conditioning units that consume more energy compared to alternative air conditioning systems are automatically excluded from selection.

[0023] In another embodiment of the invention, the measures for achieving the climate control target are changed over time, e.g., by means of a control system or a predefined time profile. In one embodiment, the control unit changes the selection of climate control units based on the received climate control target; that is, climate control units are switched off and / or other climate control units are switched on. Additionally or alternatively, the climate control output of at least one selected climate control unit is changed. For example, initially, a high climate control output is used to adjust the current temperature to the target temperature entered as the desired climate control target, and then, after a predetermined time period and / or when a predetermined difference between the current temperature and the target temperature is reached, the climate control output is reduced.Additionally or alternatively, the control unit can change the operating parameters for at least one selected climate control unit over time. This allows, for example, the system to initially promote blood circulation in a newly arrived driver at very low outside temperatures by setting a relatively high target temperature, and then, once the driver has warmed up, to set a lower target temperature.

[0024] The inventive method allows a relatively complex combination of different climate control units, which is generally difficult for an untrained user to operate, to be controlled with just a few steps to achieve a specific climate control goal. The climate control units can include a selection from the following, without making operation difficult for the user: an air conditioning compressor, a seat heater, a steering wheel heater, an infrared heater, a footwell heater, a blower, and a controllable outlet nozzle. The interaction of these climate control units to achieve the desired climate control level in a climate zone is coordinated by the control unit without any user intervention.

[0025] Another preferred training approach involves setting the climate control target based on the current climate setting, specifying only a relative change. In other words, the user doesn't need to define absolute numerical values, such as a precise temperature or humidity level. Instead, the user might be able to adjust the temperature using a digital slider, for example, to increase it. Alternatively, the user could be allowed to adjust the air conditioning output relatively, such as doubling the air conditioning power, meaning, for instance, that a fan blows twice as hard as before.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least some of the climate control zones each relate to a specific body zone of the user. In other words, for several different body zones of the user, one or more of the climate control units are designed to regulate the climate of each zone depending on a specific operating parameter. For example, the body zones may include: a footwell zone, a torso zone, a head zone, and a steering wheel area. A display device shows the user a representation of the multiple climate zones, such as a head zone, an upper body zone, a leg zone, and a foot zone. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the representation of the climate control zones on the display device also includes a representation of these body zones. For example, the representation may include a person sitting in a vehicle seat.This offers the advantage that the user can immediately change an unwanted climate control, such as a temperature that is too low or dry air, which they feel directly on a part of their body, by selecting the appropriate body zone and setting a climate control target via the depicted person.

[0027] In another embodiment of the invention, the display and operating devices are combined via a touchscreen. This allows the climate control target to be received directly on the touchscreen, without the need to operate any mechanical buttons. Furthermore, the user enters the climate control target directly on the representation itself, for example, an image of a person, thus enabling immediate assignment of the climate control target to the correct climate control zone.

[0028] Preferably, a control element for entering the climate control target is only displayed when one of the climate control zones is selected. In other words, the control element only becomes visible when approaching the display, i.e., only when needed, resulting in a particularly clear and uncluttered presentation. Furthermore, this embodiment requires a smaller display area.

[0029] An airflow arrow has proven to be a particularly space-saving and efficient control element, displayed as part of the interface to indicate the desired climate control setting. The airflow arrow's orientation and / or size are adjusted or modified by the user's swipe on a touch-sensitive input surface, such as a touchscreen. The user can thus lengthen or shorten the airflow arrow, make it thicker or thinner, and / or swivel it. For example, lengthening the airflow arrow can cause the control unit to increase the power of one fan and / or activate a second fan.Changing the direction of the airflow arrow can be implemented by the control unit, for example, by pivoting a controllably deactivated air outlet nozzle or by closing one air outlet nozzle and opening another. In general, the control unit determines at least one operating parameter for each air conditioning unit based on the change in the direction and / or size of the airflow arrow.

[0030] Overall, the invention preferably allows the user to set the climate control target on the display itself by tapping and / or swiping on a touchscreen. This user interface is particularly space-saving yet clear.

[0031] Instead of or in addition to displaying climate zones on a display device, a further development of the invention provides that the climate control device determines the climate control target by means of a speech recognition device. This is achieved by receiving a user's utterance regarding a current climate control problem ("I'm cold!") and determining the climate control target based on a predefined mapping rule. In other words, the user articulates in what respect and / or where the climate control is malfunctioning. This utterance can be converted into computer-processable text using a known method of automatic speech recognition (ASR). Based on the text and the mapping rule, a suitable climate control target can then be determined for the text content.This offers the advantage that the user only needs to specify the current, undesirable air conditioning condition, i.e., the air conditioning problem, and a suitable air conditioning target is automatically determined from this. The matching rule could, for example, include a table that specifies an air conditioning target for keywords such as those that might appear in the user's description ("cold," "dry air," "drafty") ("increase heating output," "ventilation without air conditioning compressor," "adjust fan"). Based on the air conditioning target, at least one suitable air conditioning unit can then be selected as described.

[0032] A further development of the invention provides that the control unit sets predetermined standard operating parameter values ​​for all air conditioning units, which are defined by a user profile that the user can select at the operating device. This allows the user to define air conditioning targets for all air conditioning zones with a single operating action, namely the selection of the user profile.

[0033] It is particularly advantageous if a profile memory for new profiles is also available, meaning the control unit saves current operating parameter values ​​of the air conditioning units in a configuration memory for later reactivation. This allows the user to combine a proven combination of air conditioning goals for the air conditioning zones into a new user profile.

[0034] In another embodiment of the invention, the control unit visualizes feedback on the measures taken to achieve the climate control target specified by the user. This offers the advantage that the user can see in the display whether their specified climate control target has triggered a response from the control device.

[0035] The method according to the invention can be carried out by means of the operating device also belonging to the invention. The operating device according to the invention is designed for a motor vehicle having several air conditioning units, wherein the operating device comprises a display device for showing several air conditioning zones, for example, a screen for a center console of the motor vehicle, as well as an operating device for receiving an air conditioning target for one of the air conditioning zones. The operating device can, for example, comprise a touch-sensitive input surface, such as a touchpad or the touch-sensitive layer of a touchscreen. In the operating device according to the invention, a control unit for the air conditioning units is provided, and the operating device as a whole is designed to carry out one embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0036] The invention also includes a motor vehicle characterized by an embodiment of the operating device according to the invention. The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car.

[0037] An embodiment of the invention is described below. The following is shown: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, Fig. 2 to Fig. 5 a flowchart for an embodiment of the method of the invention, which is used in the motor vehicle of Fig. 1 can be executed, Fig. 6 an airflow arrow, as it is used as a control element in the motor vehicle of Fig. 1 can be provided, Fig. 7 a signal flow graph for an embodiment of the method of the invention, which is used in the motor vehicle of Fig. 1 can be executed and is based on speech recognition, and Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 each a flowchart for an exemplary sequence of the procedure according to Fig. 7.

[0038] The embodiment described below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, however, the described components each represent individual features of the invention that must be considered independently of one another. Each of these features further develops the invention independently and can therefore be considered part of the invention individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by other features of the invention already described.

[0039] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 10, which could be, for example, a car such as a passenger car. A passenger compartment 12 is shown, which may contain a driver's seat 14, a steering wheel 16, a display device 18, and a dashboard 20. A footwell 22 for the driver may contain pedals 24. For air conditioning of the motor vehicle 10, for example, a blower 26 for conveying an airflow 30 into the passenger compartment 12 and a controllable air outlet nozzle 28 for steering or directing the airflow 30, an air conditioning compressor 32 for tempering and / or drying air for the airflow 30, a controllable air outlet nozzle for the footwell 22, an infrared heater 36 for the footwell 22, a steering wheel heater 38 on the steering wheel 16 and seat heaters 40 in the driver's seat 14 may be provided in the dashboard 20 20.For additional seats in the motor vehicle 10, associated vehicle seats, air outlet nozzles, blowers and / or infrared heaters may also be provided. The blower 26, the air outlet nozzles 28, 34, the air conditioning compressor 32, the infrared heater 36, the steering wheel heater 38, and the seat heaters 40 each represent an air conditioning unit 26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 of the motor vehicle 10, which is why the same reference numerals are used.

[0040] The air conditioning units 26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 of the motor vehicle 10 can be controlled by a control unit 42, which may be, for example, a control device or a program module of a processor unit of the motor vehicle 10. The control unit 42 can be designed to set an operating mode or operating behavior of the respective air conditioning unit 26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 by transmitting an operating parameter value for a respective operating parameter to one of the air conditioning units 26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, for example via a communication bus such as a CAN bus (CAN - Controller Area Network). Control mechanisms known from the prior art can be used for this purpose.

[0041] The display device 18 can include a screen 18', which can be located, for example, on or integrated into the center console. The display device 18 can, in particular, include a touchscreen, so that the display device 18 also constitutes an operating device 18".

[0042] In vehicle 10, the user is provided with a minimal user interface on the display unit 18 for operating the climate control units 26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40. This interface hides all automatically controlled functions and displays an intuitive and appealing interface. The operating concept follows a goal-oriented approach to controlling the climate functions of the individual climate control units 26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40. The user only specifies a desired climate control setting, regardless of how this setting is ultimately implemented by the climate control units 26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40. The climate control in vehicle 10 is then automatically adjusted according to the specified setting. The user therefore does not need to know the individual climate functions of the air conditioning units 26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and does not need to request them individually via buttons or rotary controls.

[0043] It can also be provided that the user controls the air conditioning by voice. For this purpose, a microphone 82, a speech recognition device 84 (SRT), and an announcement output 86, e.g., a loudspeaker or a graphic display unit, can be provided. The microphone 82 can capture the user's speech and transmit it to the speech recognition device 84. The speech recognition device 84 can, for example, be integrated into the control unit 42 and implemented in a known manner, for example, based on a hidden Markov model. To output acoustic feedback for a voice dialogue, the control unit 42 can control the announcement output 86. The voice control is related to Fig. 7 to Fig. 9 explained further below.

[0044] To enter a climate control request, the driver may be required to select a "Climate Control" menu item in a control menu, which in Fig. 2 is symbolized as event E1, selects. Then, for example, the in Fig. 2. The representation D1 shown on the display device 18 is displayed. Representation D1 depicts a Fig. of the passenger compartment 12, as well as a selection list 44 with user profiles 46 and a menu item 48 for creating a new user profile. In the example, it is assumed that the driver wants to select a user profile 46 and for this purpose brings his finger close to the display device 18, which is recorded as event E2 in Fig. 2 is symbolized. This means that the selection list 44 is displayed enlarged, for example, in an animation 50 on the display device 18, resulting in the representation D2. For the further explanation of the embodiment, it is assumed that the user selects the user profile "Irina", which in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is symbolized as event E3.

[0045] After activation of the user profile, in this example the user profile "Irina", the control unit 42 can display a representation D3 on the display device 18, which includes a graphical representation of the driver, referred to here as a dummy. Using the dummy, different climate control zones can be visualized for the driver, for which the driver can specify separate climate control objectives. For example, it can be defined that a head zone 52, a back zone 54, a seat zone 58, a foot zone 60, and a hand zone 62 on the steering wheel 16 are distinguished as climate control zones. The representation D3 also includes an airflow arrow 64, which, by its orientation, describes a main flow direction of the airflow 30 generated by the blower 26 and the air outlet nozzle 28, as well as by other blowers and blower outlets. The length and / or thickness of the airflow arrow 64 can represent a blower output.One color can represent a temperature of the airflow 30. The airflow arrow 64 represents another climate control zone, namely the air volume in front of the driver.

[0046] Each of the climate control zones 52 to 64 can be controlled by one or more of the climate control units 26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40. Conversely, one of the climate control units can also control multiple climate control zones, such as the blower 26 and the fan outlet 28, which can be directed towards both the head zone and the torso zone 56. In diagram D3, the driver can also be shown the current climate control output for each of the climate control zones 52 to 62. For example, color coding can be used to indicate the relative climate control output based on minimum and maximum values.

[0047] In diagram D3, a configuration button and / or a switch button 68 and / or an Eco button 70 may also be provided. The configuration button may be designed to save the current setting of air conditioning targets for the individual air conditioning zones 52 to 62, as well as the airflow arrow 64, in the current profile or in a new user profile when pressed. The switch button, which may also be referred to as switch button 68, may be provided to deactivate the air conditioning system. The Eco button 70 may be provided to activate and deactivate an Eco mode. In Eco mode, for example, the activation of the air conditioning compressor 32 may be blocked.

[0048] The activated user profile defines climate control targets for the individual climate control zones 52 to 62 and the airflow 30. This means that a target temperature and / or target humidity and / or airflow rate of the airflow 30 can be specified. To achieve the climate control targets for climate control zones 52 to 64, the control unit 42 can use a climate model M, in a manner known from room climate control technology, to determine which of the climate control units 26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 must be operated with which operating parameter values. A temporal dependency can also be determined in this process.

[0049] In the illustrated example, diagram D3 shows that the seat area 58, the foot area 60, and the hand area 62, as well as the airflow 30, are cooled with a relatively high air conditioning output in order to achieve the specified climate control goals as quickly as possible. This air conditioning output can, for example, be set at the start of a journey.

[0050] After a predetermined time has passed, for example ten minutes, the air conditioning output can then be adjusted. Fig. In section 3, this warm-up phase is symbolized by event E4. Afterwards, the air conditioning output can be reduced, which is illustrated to the driver in diagram D4 by, for example, a corresponding color code for the individual air conditioning zones 58, 60, 62 and the airflow arrow.

[0051] Later in the process, the driver wishes to enter an explicit user request, namely to direct the airflow 30 further upwards towards his head, that is, towards head zone 52, and to increase the airflow strength, that is, to set the delivered air volume to level 5 of 8. Fig. 3 and Fig. In section 4, this is symbolically represented as event E5.

[0052] The driver touches the control unit 18 with his finger, i.e., in this example, the surface of the touchscreen, specifically at the location of the airflow arrow. To adjust the airflow 30, a corresponding control element 72 is then activated, which includes, for example, a bar graph for adjusting the fan speed and an adjustment option for the airflow arrow.

[0053] The adjustment option is in Fig. 6 illustrates. Fig. Figure 6 shows the airflow arrow 64. The airflow arrow can be rotated about a pivot point 74, which, for example, represents the air outlet nozzle 28, so that the driver can pivot the airflow arrow upwards 76 or downwards 78 by swiping on the touchscreen. The driver can also stretch or compress 80 the airflow arrow by swiping, which affects the airflow rate 30. Depending on the changes made to the airflow arrow, the control unit 42 can then use the climate model M to determine how an increased airflow 30, corresponding to a fan speed 5, can be directed into the newly set orientation of the airflow arrow, i.e., whether other fan outlets need to be opened or the air outlet nozzle 28 needs to be pivoted.

[0054] For the further discussion of the exemplary embodiment, let us assume that the driver notices that he has cold feet. This is in Fig. Event 4 is symbolized as event E6. The driver now wants their feet to be warmed. For this purpose, the driver can touch the foot zone 60 on the touchscreen. As they approach foot zone 60, for example with a finger or a stick, another control element 72' is displayed, resulting in the representation D6. Control element 72' allows the driver, for example, to increase a setpoint for climate control in the footwell 22 by swiping upwards. A swiping motion in the opposite direction can correspondingly decrease the setpoint temperature. The control unit 42 can then, for example, use the climate model to determine whether the infrared heater 36 or the footwell blower should be activated.For example, it can be taken into account whether the airflow, which is conveyed to both the blower 26 and the blower, is warm enough to meet the air conditioning requirement for the footwell 22 without impairing the air conditioning requirement as represented by the airflow arrow.

[0055] In the example shown, the control unit 42 activates the footwell blower, resulting in an additional airflow directed into the footwell 22. This air conditioning measure is in Fig. 4 and in Fig. 5 is symbolized by event E7. The action taken is visualized for the driver on display 18, resulting in display D7, which now also includes an airflow arrow 64' representing the airflow directed into the footwell 22. The driver recognizes from the adapted display D7 that their air conditioning request is currently being implemented.

[0056] After some time, the driver notices that the desired climate control settings are achieved with the new airflow targets (30) and footwell (22), and therefore decides to save the current climate control targets combined into a profile. To do this, the driver presses the configuration button, which in Fig. Event 5 is represented as event E8. Control unit 42 can then offer the driver the option to overwrite the current user profile "Irina" or create a new profile "NEW". This results in display D8. By selecting the user profile thus created in display D2, the driver can now reset all climate control settings so that the desired climate control settings are achieved for all climate control zones.

[0057] Saving the climate control settings to a user profile completes the configuration steps (END). Fig. 2 to Fig. The illustrated embodiment of the method for operating the operating device 18, comprising the display device 18 with the screen 18' and the operating device 18" as well as the control unit 42, is to be understood as an example only.

[0058] Generally, operation is via an HMI (Human Machine Interface) and the image-supported display it provides. Settings are preferably adjusted via a human-like interface using taps and swipes. Functions that are typically complex for the driver and dependent on other factors are no longer represented by directly selectable buttons, preventing the user from accidentally pressing a button that does not fulfill their desired climate control setting. These functions are controlled by the control unit in the background. The concept follows a goal-based approach to climate control functions, where the user specifies a desired climate control setting, and the control is then carried out automatically. For example, if cooling is desired, the user requests a lower temperature.If the air conditioning compressor 32 cannot be switched on, alternative options are used automatically. With previous solutions, the user would first press the AC button, for example, but would receive no information as to whether the air conditioning was actually cooling or not. Only after some time would they realize that their request was not being fulfilled, and only then would they attempt to cool the interior in another way.

[0059] By using the HMI for operation, a more intuitive user interface is created. The interface depicts a person whose climate control preferences can be changed by tapping and / or swiping. The controls (72, 72') on the person only become visible when the user approaches the touchscreen. This keeps the GUI uncluttered. Previously, operation was exclusively via buttons, each with specific functions assigned to it, resulting in a large number of rotary knobs and buttons being required.

[0060] Complex functions, potentially dependent on other factors, are no longer displayed, as their control is handled automatically in the background. Instead, there are variable, higher-level functions; for example, a fuel-saving mode or Eco mode could be provided instead of an AC button.

[0061] The following is related to Fig. 7 to Fig. 9. A voice control system for the described climate control system of the vehicle 10 is described. For this purpose, the control unit 42 evaluates, for example, speech information and decides on the measures to be taken and the timing of their execution. If necessary, a dialogue takes place with the driver to decide on the execution of the measures. Once all actions have been discussed and carried out accordingly, the operation is complete. This advantageously prevents the driver from being excessively distracted from the road when operating the "climate control" comfort function in the vehicle due to overly complex and numerous operating options. The driver only needs to express a wish regarding the climate control, and the voice control system then offers suggestions for a solution within the framework of voice guidance.For example, the user can state: “I am cold!” This speech utterance can be recognized by the speech recognition device 84 and the corresponding speech information can be provided in the control unit 42.

[0062] In the described example, the language information contains the keyword "cold". Control unit 42 may contain an assignment rule for this keyword, which can be assigned to the climate control goal "warm up passenger compartment" ("cold -> "warm up passenger compartment"). For this climate control goal, the appropriate measures can then be determined, for example, using the climate control model M, as already described. These measures could include increasing the air temperature or heating the seat. The corresponding climate control units can then be determined accordingly.

[0063] This process is in Fig. Figure 7 illustrates this. After receiving the speech utterance, for example via microphone 82 in step S10, the speech request is processed in the described manner in step S12, so that an air conditioning goal Z is available, for which a measure finding and prioritization is carried out in a sub-model M', which can, for example, be part of model M, and thereby determines which of the air conditioning units should be controlled to achieve the air conditioning goal.

[0064] The model M' can include environmental data 88 as further input parameters, relating to environmental influences such as temperature and vehicle speed. From this, release information F can be derived, indicating, for example, when the waste heat from the combustion engine is sufficient to also heat the air blown into the passenger compartment. For the climate control target Z, those climate control units 26 to 40 suitable for achieving the climate control target Z are determined. These are listed in the Fig. In the example shown, the air conditioning units K1, K2, and K3 are represented by these designations. In this example, a prioritization has been implemented such that the system first attempts to achieve the air conditioning goal Z using air conditioning unit K1, and only if K1 is unavailable, then using air conditioning unit K2, and as a last resort, using air conditioning unit K3. Accordingly, the system checks in this order whether the release information F permits the use of the respective air conditioning units K1, K2, and K3. A positive finding is represented by a (+), a negative finding by a (-). Therefore, if the release information F in a check step S14 indicates that air conditioning unit K1 can be used, it is selected, and the system proceeds directly to a voice dialogue 90.Otherwise, the remaining air conditioning units K2, K3 will be checked in the manner described, as can be seen from . Fig. 7 results, from which the verification steps S16 and S18 are derived.

[0065] The air conditioning unit K1, K2, K3 selected to achieve the air conditioning goal Z does not need to be activated immediately. Instead, the user may be prompted via voice dialog 90 to confirm the action. For each of the selected air conditioning units K1, K2, K3, the user is prompted, for example via voice output, to confirm whether they are releasing that air conditioning unit K1, K2, K3. This confirmation is then carried out in the corresponding verification steps S20, S22, and S24.

[0066] If the user rejects the use of one of the air conditioning units K1, K2, or K3 to achieve the air conditioning goal Z, the action is aborted in step S26. Upon the user's release of the selected air conditioning unit K1, K2, or K3, the execution of the action to achieve the air conditioning goal Z is initiated in step S28 by means of a further sub-model M," which can also be part of the air conditioning model M. This means that the released air conditioning unit K1, K2, or K3 is parameterized and controlled accordingly. In step S30, it can be checked whether the action should be terminated automatically for technical reasons, e.g., after a predetermined period. If not, it can be checked in step S32 whether the user requests termination of the action, for example, via a voice command.

[0067] If it is necessary to terminate the action, this is done in step S34, in which, for example, the air conditioning unit K1, K2, or K3 is deactivated by a control signal or its air conditioning output is set to a value that maintains the current room climate. Step S36 then terminates the voice dialog control triggered by step S10.

[0068] During the execution of the measure and / or its completion in steps S28, S34, the current parameterization of the individual air conditioning units 26 to 40 can be visualized on screen 18' in the manner described, as is realized, for example, by the display D3, D4, D6.

[0069] The following is in Fig. The 7 described procedures are explained in more detail using two specific examples.

[0070] In Fig. Section 8 illustrates the processes for the previously mentioned example, where the user makes a speech utterance 92 ("I'm cold!"). Fig. 8 (and correspondingly in Fig. 9) Individual processes are divided into layers L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, where layer L1 represents user speech input, layer L2 represents a process in speech recognition, layer L3 represents speech output, for example by means of the announcement output 86, layer L4 represents a modeling step using the air conditioning model M and / or one of the sub-models M', M", layer L5 represents an influence from the environment and layer L6 represents an output using the graphical user interface, for example on screen 18'.

[0071] Following the voice utterance 92 ("I'm cold!"), the voice input is processed in step S12 to ensure that the voice content or information (the driver is too cold) is available in a computer-processable form, for example, as text or a string. In submodel M', the described request processing and prioritization takes place, taking into account an outside temperature 94 and an engine temperature 96. Subsequently, a voice output 98 is generated via voice dialogue 90, announcing the preferred climate control unit K1. In this example, a delay is necessary due to the release information F indicating that the combustion engine is still too cold. For example, a voice output 98 could contain the following content: "The interior temperature will be increased as soon as sufficient heating power is available."

[0072] For the lower-priority climate control units K2 and K3, a voice output 100 can be: "Should the seat heating and steering wheel heating be activated now?" This corresponds to verification steps S22 and S24. The user can then make a voice input 102, which could be, for example, "Only turn on the seat heating." The voice input is processed, and the seat heating is activated accordingly in step S12'. For this, the climate control model M, and within it, for example, a model unit for the seat heating, can be accessed. This can be illustrated to the user as visual feedback on screen 18' using appropriate displays, as described above.

[0073] Once the climate control unit K1 is available, a voice output 98' can be given, for example, with the following content: "The interior temperature will now be increased until you stop." Then, for example, based on the climate control model M, the passenger compartment 12 can be heated using the blower air, which can also be visualized for the driver via the screen 18'. At a later point, the driver makes a voice input 104, for example, with the content: "It's warm enough now." This can be processed accordingly in step S12" to end the climate control, i.e., step S34 ( Fig. 7) is triggered for the termination of the measures.

[0074] In Fig. Section 9 illustrates the process for a speech utterance, which might be, for example, "open the roof". This is explained in... Fig.Figure 9 shows a further layer L7 concerning processes in a body control module (BCM) of the motor vehicle 10, where the BCM is designed to control electric motors, such as those required to drive the sunroof. It could, for example, be a control unit. The speech utterance 106 is processed in step S12 and evaluated to determine that direct control of the sunroof is necessary. For this purpose, the BCM is prompted by a control command. The BCM can also take into account a sensor signal from a rain detection system 108, so that the sunroof remains closed in rain and is only opened in dry weather. Subsequently, for example, the submodel M' is used to check whether the climate control objective Z concerning the opening of the sunroof affects other climate control units. It is determined that an air conditioning system should be deactivated when the sunroof is open.This is communicated to the driver via a corresponding voice output 110, for example by an announcement: "The air conditioning should be switched off if the window is open." When determining which other climate control units to control, in this case the air conditioning system, factors such as the outside temperature 94 and, for example, a light intensity 112 can also be taken into account.

[0075] The driver can now confirm with another voice input 114 that the corresponding climate control unit, in this case the air conditioning system, should be controlled; for example, the voice input 114 could be: “OK”. This can again be recognized and implemented in step S12' such that the voice information “AC off” is passed on to the climate control model M, which then controls the air conditioning system (AC) accordingly, which in turn can be displayed to the driver as visual feedback on screen 18'.

[0076] The invention achieves the goal of providing a climate control concept with a minimalist, intuitive design. Therefore, this concept is based on numerous automatic climate control functions that simplify the user interaction with the individual climate control units, addressing the user's ultimate desire, such as "I'm too cold." Furthermore, users can express their own climate control preferences without needing technical knowledge of air distribution, air volume, indoor temperature, or the compressor. This is facilitated by the interactive graphics D1 to D8, which allow users to adjust the temperature settings (cold / warm / scale) at various points (hands / feet / body) without prior knowledge of room or outdoor temperature. The swipe gesture is therefore just one interaction option. If no distractions are desired, the climate control unit can also operate autonomously.

[0077] In summary, the core idea is goal-based climate control, meaning there is no action-reaction-oriented operation. The interface features a figure and a slider for temperature adjustment. If the user is too cold, a higher temperature is selected. All functions necessary to achieve the climate control goal are then identified by the climate control system itself and executed according to feasibility. For example, if the user is too cold, possible functions include: seat heating level 1, seat heating level 2, seat heating level 3, increasing the interior temperature, adjusting the fan speed based on the outlet temperature, adjusting the air distribution based on the outlet temperature, and steering wheel heating. These functions are not all available simultaneously.For example, increasing the temperature is not possible immediately after the engine starts; therefore, the seat and steering wheel heating will be activated during this time. The user receives feedback in the form of a visual representation of the measures taken on display unit 18. Furthermore, personal preferences regarding air distribution and volume must be taken into account. These functions are combined in a single object that forms a user profile, minimizing the number of individual elements required. For instance, increasing the air volume in the body area and adjusting the air distribution are now controlled via a slider rather than static, mechanical buttons such as "Air Distribution - Body" and "Air Distribution - Foot".

[0078] The operating device according to the invention results in a more intuitive user interface and easier understanding, since the user no longer needs to be familiar with the complex relationships between the climate control goal and the climate control units present in the vehicle. This also results in less distraction from the road, as only the climate control goal needs to be set and the selection from the climate control units is made by the control unit. This also results in fewer interaction steps. Overall, this leads to greater ease of use and an intuitive climate control operating concept.

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